Non-Structural Flood Damage Reduction Within the Corps of Engineers: What Districts Are Doing

Abstract

Flood damage reduction consists of two basic techniques - structural and non-structural. Structural has historically been the technique most desired by the general public since it modifies the flood and "takes floods away from people" by measures such as channels, levees, and dams. Non-structural flood damage reduction techniques basically "take people away from floods" leaving the flood to pass unmodified. Non-structural flood damage reduction techniques consist of measures such as relocation, acquisition, flood proofing, flood insurance, flood preparedness/warning/response and public education. These measures have historically not been generally desired by the public and therefore, have not been utilized to their potential extent. This attitude of the general public has been gradually changing with continued implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program and the increasing national interest in a more pristine environment in which to live. This change became more abrupt with the "Great Flood of 1993" that occurred in the Mississippi River Basin. More and more communities no longer want structural flood damage reduction techniques that "disturb" the environment. Instead they want non-structural techniques used to reduce flood damages that do not "disturb" or that can lead to "restoration" of the environment. Non-structural flood damage reduction techniques have proven to be extremely viable in alternatives consisting of total non-structural or a combination non-structural and structural. The Corps of Engineers National Flood Proofing Committee (NFPC) has recognized that sharing successful non-structural information within the Corps of Engineers may be very helpful to Districts that are considering non-structural alternatives. The NFPC has compiled into this document applicable portions of reports developed by various Districts that show how nonstructural projects were formulated, justified, and implemented.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA629409

Entities

Organizations

  • Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Programs
  • Construction
  • Control Systems
  • Drainage Basins
  • Economic Analysis
  • Emergency Response
  • Engineers
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Flood Control
  • Flood Damage
  • Flood Hazards
  • Floods
  • Geography
  • Organizational Structure
  • Rain Gages
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering
  • Educational Psychology
  • Hydrologic Risk Analysis and Mitigation.